Source: Introductory Facebook post by Lismore MP Janelle Saffin. Women’s Health Northern Rivers media release follows.
THIS week, during the 16 Days of Activism to End Gender-Based Violence, I visited Women’s Health Northern Rivers to discuss the expansion of their Domestic and Family Violence support services.
Thanks to new government funding WHNR will be able to extend outreach services so more women can access care and support where they live, and extend their popular programs into new communities.
Acting CEO Emma Siegel and Board Secretary Jane Gold, shared how this funding will make a real difference for women across the region.
This is vital work, and I’m proud to see it being strengthened
WOMEN’S Health Northern Rivers (WHNR), formerly NORWACS, has secured nearly $975,000 in new funding over the next two years to expand its outreach services and reach more women across the Northern Rivers.
This significant investment will strengthen WHNR’s ability to deliver care where it’s needed most, ensuring women in regional and remote communities have access to safe, trauma-informed support.
WHNR Acting CEO Emma Siegel met with local MP Janelle Saffin to discuss the rollout of expanded services and acknowledge her strong advocacy, alongside MP Justine Elliot, for the continuation of WHNR’s outreach program after disaster recovery funding ended.
While initial bids to extend the disaster-recovery model were unsuccessful, this commitment reflects a transition from recovery to resilience and recognises WHNR as a trusted provider with a proven model for delivering care where it’s needed most.
State Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin commended Women’s Health Northern Rivers for the vital support its outreach program provided to the region’s women and children following the 2022 floods.
“Several dozen support services were referring women to what was then NORWACS, underlining the clear community need during disaster recovery,” Ms Saffin said.
“I advocated strongly to all relevant NSW Ministers, putting forward the organisation’s business case that outreach had to continue as a priority. I know Federal Member for Richmond Justine Elliot fully supports this program which reaches into her electorate.”
This funding comes at a critical time for the Northern Rivers, which continues to record some of the highest rates of domestic and family violence in NSW.
Many women in the region face compounded barriers to accessing support whether due to geographic isolation, housing instability, or the long-term effects of disaster recovery.
WHNR’s outreach model is designed to remove these barriers by meeting women where they are. Counselling, social work and domestic and family violence services are delivered in familiar, safe settings through mobile teams and regional partnerships, making it easier for women to access care without needing to travel long distances or navigate complex systems.
As part of the expansion, WHNR will also roll out some of its most popular group programs into new communities, including the Shark Cage program, which supports women who have experienced violence to rebuild safety, connection, and self-worth.
“WHNR provides a vital service to women in our region, and this funding will allow us to take our proven outreach model to communities that have been underserved for too long,” said WHNR Acting CEO Emma Siegel.
“The success of this advocacy effort shows how important it is to speak up for women’s rights and safety. It’s not just about funding frontline services, it’s about ensuring that support is holistic, trauma-informed, and truly accessible.”
This boost builds on WHNR’s recent success in securing enhancement funds along with 21 other women’s health centres across the state through the NSW Government’s $100 million commitment to Women’s Health Centres, reflecting growing recognition at both state and federal levels of the importance of gender-responsive, trauma-informed services.
Together, these investments mean more women across the Northern Rivers will have access to the care and support they need delivered in ways that are safe, local, and responsive to their circumstances. Women can request support directly through the WHNR website or by contacting the service.
BRIEFING: WHNR CEO Emma Siegel, Lismore MP Janelle Saffin and WHNR Board Secretary Jane Gold.
